Rain Room, 2012

Overview

Random International’s immersive installation Rain Room (2012) invites you to walk through a downpour of continuous rain without getting wet. Motion sensors detect the movements of the human body as visitors navigate through the darkened underground space, becoming performers in this intersection of art, technology and nature.

This site-specific sound and light installation uses 2,500 litres of self-cleaning recycled water, which is controlled through a computerised system of 3D tracking cameras placed at intervals around the ceiling. When sensors in the cameras detect a person’s movement, they signal one of the many water nozzles in the ceiling, and the water stops in a roughly six-foot radius around the person.
Founded in 2005, Random International is a London-based collaborative studio for experimental and digital practice within contemporary art. Their work, which includes sculpture, performance and large-scale architectural installations, reflects the relationship between man and machine and centres on audience interaction.

Sharjah’s Rain Room marks the Middle East premiere and the first permanent installation of this project by Random International. The work has previously been on view at the Barbican, London (2012); MoMA, New York (2013); Yuz Museum, Shanghai (2015) and LACMA, Los Angeles (2015–2017).

The Rain Room building in Sharjah has been designed by Sharjah Art Foundation and the UAE-based SpaceContinuum Design Studio in collaboration with Shape Architecture Practice + Research, Sharjah.

Opened in May 2018, Rain Room is part of the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection and the first of a series of artist-designed permanent spaces.

Contact

t +971 6 561 0095
rainroom@sharjahart.org

Regulations and Guidelines

-No food or beverage is allowed inside the installation.
-Children should be supervised at all times.
-The use of umbrellas or other rain gear is not permitted.
-For safety reasons, visitors are prohibited from wearing shoes with thin high heels.
-Dark, shiny, reflective or impermeable clothing may affect the functioning of the sensors.
-If visitors move impulsively within the installation, slight contact with water is possible.
-The installation requires regular maintenance and is subject to temporary closure during the day.
-Use of photographic equipment and mobile phones is entirely at the risk of the owner.
-No professional photography is allowed without explicit prior permission from Sharjah Art Foundation.
-Visitors are asked to abstain from taking photographs for any other purpose than documenting their visit to Rain Room. Performance and music videos, product photography or fashion shoots are not permitted.
-Visitors are encouraged to photograph and share on social media with the hashtag #RainRoomSharjah.